Inside the Colts building, rookie Laiatu Latu is 'ready to be unleashed'

Laiatu Latu is the Definition of Pro-Ready

Latu began training camp running with the Colts' second-team defense, and a team source shared their early thoughts on the team's 2024 first-round pick. 

"From the moment he got to rookie minicamp, you could tell this guy (Latu) belonged at the NFL level. And since training camp started, it feels like he's taken things to a new level. He was dominating second and third-team tackles, it was only a matter of time before he was running with the starters, he forced that door open. We would have all wished this oppurtuinity didn't come becasue of the injury to Samson (Ebukam), but he's earned this moment and he's ready to be unleashed." 

- Colts source 

Latu has jumped into the starting lineup since the Colts lost starter Samson Ebukam to a torn Achilles. Early struggles while he adjusts to being a starter would have been more than understandable. But according to a team source, "the guy just belongs." 

"After rookies or free agents join the team you can usually tell right away the guys who are going to make an immediate impact. That's been our experience with Latu so far, the guy just belongs. His motor is relentless, and his desire to be great is next level. We believe he is going to be a heck of a football player for us." 

- Colts source 

Latu will be a major part of the Colts' plan to try and replace the production they got from Ebukam in 2023, who led the team in sacks with 9.5. The Colts' selection of Latu might have seemed like a luxury pick to some after the team had the most sacks the team had ever recorded since their move to Indianapolis. But now, with the team losing Ebukam for the season, Latu gives the Colts the best chance of picking up right where they left off last season. And he might be the elite pass rusher the team has been searching for since the days of Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis.